LPGA's Jamie Farr Classic will return in 2010, but with smaller purse

TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) -- The Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic will return next year, ending months of speculation about whether it would join other LPGA tournaments that have folded in the last year, organizers announced Wednesday.

The tournament extended its contract with the LPGA for one more year and will take place July 1-4 at the Highland Meadows Golf Club in suburban Toledo.

Tournament host and actor Jamie Farr had given the event a 50-50 chance of being around next year when he was asked about it a day before this year's first round.

More than a dozen players met while they were in Toledo for this year's Farr Classic and drafted a letter urging the ouster of LPGA Commissioner Carolyn Bivens, who resigned soon afterward.

Players complained about the dwindling number of tournaments and strained relationships with tour sponsors.

The tour has lost seven tournaments since 2007, including all three events in Hawaii. The Corning Classic in Corning, N.Y., ended in May after 31 years when its title sponsor called it quits.

The Farr Classic will have a $1 million purse next year, organizers said. The Farr's $1.4 million purse in July was among the smallest on the LPGA tour.

Eunjung Yi won this year's tournament in a playoff over Morgan Pressel, who was among several players who lobbied for the tournament to stay.

Losing the Farr tournament would have been a big blow to the city that supports it and several charities. Over its history, the tournament has donated $6.2 million to about 100 charities.

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